Ideas of Julio Cesare Vanini, by Theme

[Italian, 1585 - 1619, Wandering scholar, critical of Christian doctrine and scholasticism.]

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26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / b. Prime matter
Prime matter is nothing but its parts
     Full Idea: The whole of prime matter, considered as prime matter, is nothing other than its parts.
     From: Julio Cesare Vanini (Amphitheatrum [1615], Ex 5:p.28), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 03.2
     A reaction: This is a late scholastic writer rejecting the traditional (and obscure) prime matter with the new corpuscularian approach. It signals the end of the Greek concept of matter.